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Many who grew up in Việt Nam are deeply familiar with pirated Windows copies, cracked games, and illegal streaming websites for Korean dramas and Hollywood blockbusters. Weekend entertainment often included watching the English Premier League through livestream links narrated by highly “emotional” amateur commentators.

This “copyright-free” lifestyle helped individuals save hundreds, if not millions, of đồng each month. Because the average monthly income of Vietnamese workers stood at only around 8.7 million đồng ($330 USD) during 2024–2025, spending large sums on licensed software, films, or entertainment services remained difficult for the general public. [1]

However, this era is gradually approaching its end.

In April 2026, the United States officially placed Việt Nam on the “Priority Foreign Country” (PFC) list in the Special 301 Report , which is the highest warning level issued by the Office of the United States Trade Representative regarding intellectual property protection and enforcement in foreign countries. [2]

Soon afterward, despite publicly objecting to the designation, the Vietnamese government began taking more aggressive steps to address online copyright violations. [3] [4]

Faced with this turning point, a question has emerged: is Việt Nam’s Internet piracy era finally ending?

When Piracy Became Part of a Country’s Internet Culture

It is an unfortunate but undeniable truth that most Vietnamese people did not enter the digital world through the “front door” of copyright compliance. For the generation that grew up during the technology boom, the Internet of the past two decades was not associated with platforms like Netflix, Spotify, or Adobe Creative Cloud. Instead, it was defined by cracked Windows copies, Fshare download links, pirated games, and “free” movie-streaming websites plastered with flashing banner ads.

An entirely separate ecosystem gradually took shape. Through its open and normalized existence, Việt Nam’s Internet space evolved into a landscape where copyright infringement was not considered abnormal but rather a widespread default habit. This ecosystem grew alongside the rapid expansion of Internet access in Việt Nam, which saw user numbers rise from roughly 200,000 in 2000 to more than 85.6 million by early 2024. [5] [6]

However, this explosive growth in infrastructure and users did not lead to a comparable awareness of digital copyright. As early as 2004, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) placed Việt Nam in a red-alert category, citing a software piracy rate of 92 percent—among the highest in the world. [7]

Two decades later, the BSA repeatedly warned during 2024–2025 that enterprise software piracy in Việt Nam appeared to be rising again, despite a decline in overall infringement levels and the BSA's cessation of regular piracy-rate rankings. [8]

Furthermore, according to global data from Revenera at the end of 2025, Việt Nam still ranked seventh among countries with the highest software piracy activity worldwide. [9]

For many, Việt Nam’s early Internet era is permanently associated with websites such as Zing MP3, Nhaccuatui, HDVietnam, and Vn-Zoom. It was an era of Internet cafés where owners readily transferred dozens of gigabytes of cracked games directly onto customers’ hard drives. The defining symbol for an entire generation was often the blue download bar of IDM, running for hours to acquire media and software through ad-filled Fshare and 4share links.

This piracy extended well beyond entertainment, providing access to essential work-related software. Programs like Photoshop, AutoCAD, and Windows remained financially and culturally out of reach for much of the population, particularly during years when incomes were significantly lower. From one arguably “positive” perspective, piracy functioned as a crucial gateway, granting a developing country like Việt Nam access to the digital world.

Nevertheless, the normalization and longevity of this “consuming without paying” mindset caused society to severely downplay the importance of copyright. Consequently, Việt Nam repeatedly appeared on the US Special 301 Watch List for online intellectual property violations over many years . [10]

Recent reports from the United States argue that law enforcement in Việt Nam lacks sufficient deterrence, allowing major infringing websites to continue operating openly. [11] To most domestic users, however, these warnings felt like distant external pressures completely disconnected from everyday life.

What many fail to realize is that a vast, profit-making ecosystem operates behind these daily pirated movie websites, illegal livestreams, and cracked software. Relying on advertising revenue, complex technical infrastructure, and transnational networks, these systems do not merely satisfy a demand; they have actively shaped and sustained the online habits of entire communities for decades.

A Massive Money-making Industry

The links providing “free” digital content to millions of daily users were never acts of Internet generosity. Over time, Việt Nam’s piracy ecosystem has evolved into a legitimate industry fueled by advertising revenue, web traffic, and transnational legal gray zones. Consequently, Việt Nam is no longer viewed merely as a consumer of pirated content but increasingly as an important node in the operation of large-scale piracy websites. [12]

This content typically originates from international cracking groups before reaching Việt Nam, where it is redistributed through a highly sophisticated technical network. This infrastructure relies on overseas servers, constantly changing domains, proxy systems designed to evade IP blocking, and backup mechanisms that allow websites to resurrect almost immediately after shutdowns.

The content remains "free" because the true revenue stream lies in advertising. Pirated movie and football-streaming platforms are heavily flooded with gambling ads, betting services, and malware-laden pop-ups. As web traffic increases, advertisers pay larger advertising payouts. Furthermore, the real price of this content is often the users’ personal data, quietly harvested through cracked software or malicious code embedded within the sites.

Financial figures from recent criminal cases confirm that the situation is no longer a story of individuals “sharing for passion.” In the Fmovies case , investigators determined that the platform generated more than $400,000 in advertising revenue, which is equivalent to over 10 billion đồng. [13]

Meanwhile, illegal football-streaming platforms such as XoilacTV, ThapcamTV, and Rophim reportedly operate at revenue scales reaching hundreds of billions and even approaching one trillion đồng . [14] [15]

This vast profitability explains why the tone of recent US Special 301 reports has become increasingly severe. [16] US trade authorities no longer see the issue as simply Vietnamese citizens downloading movies or installing pirated Windows copies.

Instead, they recognize the apparent operation and technical linkage of major global piracy syndicates to Việt Nam. Therefore, placing Việt Nam on the PFC list is far more than a diplomatic warning; it signals that domestic piracy is now classified as a serious, systemic commercial and technological violation that directly impacts US software and content industries.

The Bill for the Fees Arrives

For many years, Vietnamese Internet users widely considered piracy to be a victimless transaction.

While users gained free content, multinational technology corporations halfway across the globe ostensibly lost only a few numbers on their revenue reports, making the damage appear abstract and insignificant.

However, this perception likely began to shift in April 2026 when the United States placed Việt Nam at the very bottom of its rankings for intellectual property protection and enforcement.

PFC is the highest intellectual property warning category in the United States evaluation system, reserved for nations with severe and persistent violations. Prior to the inclusion of Việt Nam, this category had remained unused for more than a decade.

Importantly, the consequences of this classification extend far beyond symbolic or diplomatic reprimands. Being designated as a PFC country may pave the way for formal trade investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. [17] Washington has previously employed this exact mechanism in several major trade conflicts. [18]

At this stage, copyright compliance ceases to be a simple matter of saving a few hundred thousand đồng on monthly software or streaming subscriptions; it escalates into a national-level economic and trade risk. Without sufficiently strong reforms, Việt Nam could face tariff pressure or stricter trade monitoring from the United States. [19]

Such measures would directly impact key export industries, including textiles, electronics, furniture, and technology components, all of which are sectors that support millions of Vietnamese workers. As a result, piracy now inextricably links the standing of Việt Nam to the global supply chain.

This international pressure is especially significant as Việt Nam seeks to attract major technology corporations like Intel, Apple, and Nvidia to expand their domestic manufacturing and research operations. [20]

For these technology companies, evaluating a host country's intellectual property protection is a mandatory prerequisite before establishing R&D centers or high-value production chains. No corporation wants to invest billions of dollars in a jurisdiction that could easily allow others to copy and distribute its software, data, or core technologies online.

This is why the current anti-piracy campaign is no longer just a domestic legal concern. For Việt Nam, it has evolved into a vital question of national branding, international credibility, and favorable foreign investment conditions. It represents a critical threshold the country must cross to advance deeper into the global technology arena.

Copyright Enforcement Cannot Justify Violations of Personal Rights

Addressing online copyright infringement is far more complex than raiding physical markets for counterfeit goods. While fake handbags and imitation clothing can be easily confiscated from stalls, “digital contraband” exists as fluid data, capable of moving anonymously across borders and reappearing within hours of a shutdown. [21]

In addition, the mounting pressure to act does not mean that all aggressive countermeasures are acceptable. As Việt Nam intensifies its campaign against online copyright violations, a critical question emerges: Where is the boundary between protecting intellectual property and infringing upon personal freedoms?

Anti-piracy efforts cannot serve as a justification for the excessive surveillance of Internet users. Implementing measures such as the arbitrary inspection of personal devices or expanding government access to user data under the guise of copyright enforcement constitutes unconstitutional action. [22]

More alarmingly, intellectual property protection could be manipulated for purposes entirely unrelated to copyright, such as information control or the suppression of dissenting voices. A healthy enforcement mechanism must operate within strictly defined limits, maintain transparency, and remain subject to legal oversight to prevent unwarranted intrusions into the private lives of citizens.

In practice, even the United States emphasizes targeting large-scale distributors of pirated content in its Special 301 reports, rather than criminalizing individual users. This indicates that domestic anti-piracy efforts should focus on dismantling the illegal, profit-making systems operating behind the scenes, rather than hunting down individuals who download movies or install cracked software.

Ultimately, the most effective solution lies in reframing how society understands the problem. Piracy in Việt Nam is better viewed as a cultural and economic issue rather than a strictly legal one.

For over two decades, generations of users have treated access to “free” Internet resources as an assumed, albeit illegitimate, entitlement. Simultaneously, current income levels remain a significant barrier to accessing paid digital services. Therefore, short-term crackdowns and website-blocking campaigns will not be sufficient to overturn long-standing habits.

Moving forward, Việt Nam requires a comprehensive, long-term roadmap that integrates several parallel efforts. The country must build public awareness regarding the value of intellectual labor, foster the creation of affordable digital services that align with domestic incomes, and establish a transparent legal environment.

Only through these fundamental solutions can the cultural and economic roots of piracy be truly eliminated without turning copyright enforcement into a threat to privacy and personal freedom.

Minh Viễn wrote this article in Vietnamese and published it in Luật Khoa Magazine on May 18, 2026. Đàm Vĩnh Hằng translated it into English for The Vietnamese Magazine.

References: +

1. National Statistics Office of Vietnam. (2026, January 5). Socio-economic situation in the fourth quarter and 2025 . https://www.nso.gov.vn/en/data-and-statistics/2026/01/socio-economic-situation-in-the-fourth-quarter-and-2025/

2. 2026 Special 301 Report. (n.d.). https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Releases/2026/2026%20Special%20301%20Report.pdf

3. VnExpress. (2026, May 14). Request that the United States objectively assess Việt Nam’s efforts on intellectual property issues. VnExpress. https://vnexpress.net/de-nghi-my-danh-gia-khach-quan-no-luc-cua-viet-nam-ve-van-de-so-huu-tri-tue-5073986.html

4. vietnam.vnanet.vn. (2026, May 14). Việt Nam steps up enforcement against intellectual property rights violations in cyberspace. Vietnam News Agency. https://vietnam.vnanet.vn/vietnamese/long-form/viet-nam-day-manh-xu-ly-vi-pham-quyen-so-huu-tri-tue-tren-khong-gian-mang-445813.html

5. VnExpress. (2008, September 5). Internet users in Việt Nam increase 100-fold after eight years. VnExpress. https://vnexpress.net/so-nguoi-dung-internet-o-vn-tang-100-lan-sau-8-nam-1515165.html

6. Sơn Vân. (2026, January 28). Việt Nam’s AI and social media market: From a user boom to mass adoption. Một Thế Giới. https://1thegioi.vn/thi-truong-ai-va-mang-xa-hoi-o-viet-nam-tu-bung-no-nguoi-dung-den-giai-doan-pho-cap-245337.html

7. Global piracy impacts on world economy: report. (2004, July 7). Abc.Net.Au. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-07-08/global-piracy-impacts-on-world-economy-report/2005866

8. Đức Thiện. (2024, May 21). Software copyright violations increase; the Business Software Alliance sends a request to Việt Nam. Tuổi Trẻ Online. https://tuoitre.vn/vi-pham-ban-quyen-phan-mem-tang-lien-minh-phan-mem-toan-cau-gui-de-nghi-toi-viet-nam-20240521160422555.htm

9. Flexera. (2026, January 16). Software Piracy 2025 Stat Watch | Revenera Blog . Revenera Blog. https://www.revenera.com/blog/software-monetization/software-piracy-stat-watch/

10. Since 2015, Việt Nam has consistently been on the watchlist of Special 301 Reports, see the reports of year 2016 , 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 , 2021 , 2022 , 2023 , 2024 và 2025 .

11. 2026 Special 301 Report. (n.d.). https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Releases/2026/2026%20Special%20301%20Report.pdf

12. 2026 Special 301 Report. (n.d.). https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Releases/2026/2026%20Special%20301%20Report.pdf

13. VnExpress. (2025, February 7). What is the owner of the pirated movie site Fmovies accused of? VnExpress. https://vnexpress.net/chu-web-phim-lau-fmovies-bi-cao-buoc-nhung-gi-4846945.html

14. Đình Hiếu. (2026). The “Xôi Lạc TV” system was worth nearly VND 1 trillion. VietNamNet News. https://vietnamnet.vn/quy-mo-cua-he-thong-xoi-lac-tv-len-toi-gan-1-000-ty-dong-2495186.html

15. See [14]

16. 2026 Special 301 Report. (n.d.). https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Releases/2026/2026%20Special%20301%20Report.pdf

17. Hà, S. (2026, May 6). VCCI: Việt Nam needs to proactively respond to risks from the U.S. Special 301 Report. VnEconomy. https://vneconomy.vn/vcci-can-chu-dong-ung-pho-rui-ro-tu-bao-cao-dac-biet-301-cua-hoa-ky.htm

18. Bello, J., & Holmer, A. (n.d.). “Special 301”: Its Requirements, Implementation, and Significance. Fordham International Law Journal , 13 (3). Retrieved May 18, 2026, from https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1240&context=ilj

19. Quang, H. (2026, April 9). Ministry of Industry and Trade provides information on the U.S. trade investigation. Tuổi Trẻ Online. https://tuoitre.vn/bo-cong-thuong-thong-tin-viec-my-mo-cuoc-dieu-tra-thuong-mai-20260409143309406.htm

20. Chi, H. (2025, July 29). Việt Nam: A “strategic stronghold” for the world’s leading technology corporations. VnEconomy. https://vneconomy.vn/viet-nam-cu-diem-chien-luoc-cho-cac-tap-doan-cong-nghe-hang-dau-the-gioi.htm

21. Current Affairs Department. (2026, January 30). Market surveillance authorities repeatedly crack down on major counterfeit and smuggled goods cases. VTV Online. https://vtv.vn/quan-ly-thi-truong-lien-tiep-triet-pha-cac-vu-hang-gia-hang-lau-lon-100260130090733283.htm

22. National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. (2013). Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, art. 21. Thư Viện Pháp Luật. https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/EN/Bo-may-hanh-chinh/Constitution-dated-November-28-2013-of-the-socialist-republic-of-Vietnam/221949/tieng-anh.aspx